Hydraulic machine



'Nov. 23 1926.

' 1,607,833 w. H. LIEBER HYDRAULIC MACHINE Original Filed y 1922 Patented Nov. 23, 1926.

v i umrso stares PATENT wrL'LIm-n. manna. or wnsr anms, WISCONSIN, assxenon 'ro Luis-criminals uan'uuorunmo nnrawuui.

This invention relates in general to imrovements in the art of converting hyraulic energy -into commercial power, and relates more specificall to improvementsin the construction of hy raulic machines such as hydraulic turbines and pumps.

Anobject of the invention 1s toprovide an improved hydralic machine which is simple in construction and eiiicient in operation, 1 Another object of the invention is to rovide an improved method of controlling t e flow of liquid through an energy converting hydraulic machipe. A further objectv of the invention is to provide an im roved method of regulating hydraulic turbines. Still another object of the invention is to provide structure for more eiiiciently conducting liquid through a hydraulic turbine rotor, than has heretofore been possible. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following-description. e f

It has heretofore been proposed to convert the energy of water under head into useful power, by producing a stream or the liquid, causing the stream of liquid to whirl, and by sub:equently passing the whirling mass of liquid through a suitable rotor. In order to efl'ect delivery of the whirling mass of liquid against the rotorvanes at the most eflicient angle, it has heretofore been proposed to pivotally support the rotor vanes and to provide means for adjusting the vanes about their pivotal axes. It has also been customary in prior machines, of this general type, to utilize various forms of gate mechanism for controlling the quantity of liquid delivered; to the rotor. gate mechanisms comprises an annular series of adjustable guide vanes capable of simultaneou:ly throttling the inward flow and varying the degreeofwhirl of the liquid. Another of the prior gate mechanisms comprises a plunger gate movable 'aiially of the rotor in order to throttle the inward flowof liquid passing to the rotor, but in this latter type of flow controllin device no means are provided for varyingt 1e degree of whirl of the entering liquid.

In energy converting installation of this ty )e there areanumerous conditions which afl ect the efiiciency of operation. These con-.

contain, pr MILWAUKEE, W sconsin. 5 eoaroaa'r xon or HYDRAULIC micnnm. A

One of the priorl Application fled Kay 29, 1982, Serial No. 584,516. Renewed-July 10, 1925.

ditions are of such variable nature that it is impossible to construct a unit inaccordance with the-prior art, in which maximum efiiciency is maintainable for all variations in operating conditions. It is desirable in order to maintain maximum efliciency and energy conversion, to var the degree of whirl of the entering liquld independently of variations in the quantity of liquid ad- .Qmitted .to the rotor. When varying either the degree of whirl of the entering liquid or the quantity of liquid admitted to the rotor, it is also desirable to vary the angularity of oarce.

the rotor vanes. The prior gate mechanisms in which the quantity of flow and the degree of whirl are simultaneously altered are objectionable since they decrease the degree of whirl simultaneously with an increase in the quantity of liquid admitted, such action being seldom desirable? It is ordinarily more desirable to increase the degree of whirl with an increase in the quantity of liquid admitted, the prior mechanisms being incapable of producing such result. The prior gate mechanisms in which the degree of whirl of the entering liquid cannot be varied at all, are ineflicient for that reason. The prior mechanisms for varying-the angularity of the rotor vanes, do not provide for proper adjustment of the whirl and quantity varying means in order to produce maximum efficiency of 'o eration for a predetermined adjustment 0 the rotor vanes.

The present invention contemplates mechanism whereby the quantity of liquid admitted, the degree of whirl of the entering liquid and the angularity of the roto'rkvanes may be varied simultaneously and independently of each other, to produce maximum efliciency of operation of a unit under all conditions. While the invention has been illustrated as applied to a hydraulic turbine characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views Fig. 1 IS a dlagraumiatic part sect1onal view of a hydraulic turbine installation era-- bodying the improved regulating mechanism.

. Pig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of an axial flow turbine rotor embodying improved means for adjusting the singularity of the rotor vanes.

Fig. 3 is a transverse Section through one of the vanes of'the rotorillustrated in Fig. 2, the sectidn being taken along the line IIIIII of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

The hydraulic turbine installation illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 1, comprises generally an inward flow annular inlet conuit 2, a vane free transition space 3 adapted to receive liquid from the conduit 2 and to change the direction of flow of the liquid from radial to axial, a draft tube 4 adapted to receive liquid from the transition space 3, and an axial flow impeller or rotor '7 located between the transition space 3 and the draft tube 4. The inlet conduit 2 is in open communication with a source of liquid supply and is bounded by relatively movable upper and lower walls which are capable of varying the quantity of liquid admitted to the transition space 3. The lower bounding wall of the inlet conduit 2 consists of a lower stationary casing 15 and a rotary guide vane actuatin ring 14, while the upper bounding walf of the conduit consists of a vertically adjust-able plunger gate 6 slidahly mounted upon the upper stationary turbine casing 11. The upper stationary casing 11 is rigidly supported directly from the lower casing 15 by means of an annular series of parallel stationary pivot bolts 12, and has a downwardlv extending central bearing portion 19. The lower casing 15 isfirmly supported upon a suitable foundation 20 which also forms the wall of the draft tube 4. Adjustable guide values 5 are pivotally supported by the stationary pivot bolts 12, these guide vanes 5 spanning the annular inlet conduit 2 and being adapted to vary the degree of Whirl of the liquid delivered from the conduit 2 into the transition space 3 without materiallv affecting the quantity of flow. Each of the guide vanes 5 is provided with a downwardly projecting adjusting pin 13 extending into" anadjacent'radial slot 21 formed in-tbe guide vane adjusting ring 14. The adjusting ring leis rotatably supported upon the'periphery of )thfi lower casing 15 and is provided withan actuating toothed segment 51 the teeth of ing with adjustn'ient of the plunger gate 6 and with the continuity of the guiding the guide vanes 5. These plates 10 permit free adjustment of the guide vanes irrespective of the position of the plun er gate 6, the details of construction of hose plates and the manner of attachment thereof to the plunger gate 6 being clearly shown in my copending application S. N. 527,817, filed Jan. 9, 1922, which covers novel subjict' matter shown but not specifically claimed in the present application. I

The inner portion of the 'plungergate 6 is preferably provided with an annular conoidal' deflecting or guiding wall 9 which closely approaches and is slidable along the bearing portion 19 of the stationary upper casing 11. The deflectin wall 9 is capable of changing the general direction of flow of the liquid delivered to the transition space 3, from the inlet conduit 2, from radial to axial .and is of such height that it will not interwhich mesh with a pinion 50 the operat on of which will be later described. In order to permit adjustmentof thegaide vanes 5 about their pivot bolts 12 without interfere fere with the rotor 7 even when the plunger gate 6 is fully closed. The transition space 3 is bounded by the deflecting wall 9, the stationary bearing portion-19 and the stationary lower casing 15, and communicate; directly with the inlet side of the impeller or rotor 7. The rotor 7 located below the transition space 3 is of the high sieed axial flow ty e and comprises a series 0 ,radiating adjusta le vanes 16 'ivotally associated with acentral hub 17 WhICh'lS rigidly attached to the lower extremity of the vertical main shaft 8. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the rotor hub 17 has a spherical outer surface and'is provided with radiating iivots 22 which are preferably rigidly attac ed to the hub 17 and which snugly fit correspondingly shaped bores in the vanes 16., Each of the Pivot pins 22 is provided with a number of annular grooves 29 adapted to receiveretaining pins 28 for the purpose of preventing outward displacement of the rotor vanes 16 while permitting rotation thereof about the pivot pins 22. The upper-inner portions of the vanes 16 are provided with radial pins 30 coacting with radial 11 right slots 31 formed in asleeve 18 which em races the vertical main shaft 8 and which coacts with the bore of the hearing ortion 19. The lower end of the sleeve 18 is provided with an integral cellar or flan e, and the portion of thesleeve 18 below t is collar is.

provided with the radial upright slots 31. The slotted portion-of the sleeve '18'is enlarged' and rests upon the hub 17, the outer surface of the enlarged sleeve portion constituting a continuation of the s h rical outer surface of the rotor hub 1 The outer extremities of the rotor vanes 16 closely approach the interior of'thc stationary casing 15, the vanes 16- preferably being of iii] - having va i angularit througiout their lengths lliliifie y I justing the rotor vanes forms ant-important .part of the: present invention, the rotor d...-.-;.i1 a with a. widest portion thereof locate at the rotor. peri hery and the. specific manner of ad-.

structurenerally-is t e invcnti'on ofForrest' Nagfe r and has been described in numerous publications; It willlbe obvious a vertically shiftable sleeve 41. The sleeve 41 is permitted to slide along but is pre-' vented from rotatin relatively to the shaft 8, by means of a sp ine 42.. Rollers 44 carmed-by one end of the adjusting lever 53 intermediate its ends connects the bracket coactvwith a recess 43 in the sleeve 41 and permit free rotation of the sleeve 41 with the shaft 8. The opposite end-of the adjusting lever 53 coacts with a pivot 45 carried by the regulating rod 37, and the medial portion of the lever 53 is provided with an adjustable ivoted' fulcrum 46 which may be shifted along the lever 53 with the aid of adjustin means 47. v

The p ung'er-gate 6 has upwardly extending parallel rods 27 secured to a bracket 39 which is guided by the shaft 8. A gate adjusting lever 38 having a stationary pivot 39 with the regulating rod 37 so that vertical motion of the rod 37 is transmitted to and produces vertical adjustment of the plunger gate 6. The lower extremity of the rod 37 is provided with a quick pitch external screw thread 49 which coacts with a similar quick pitch internal screw thread of the guide vane adjusting pinion 50. The portion of the rod 37 between the pivot 45 and the threaded portion 49 is provided with adjusting means 48 for varying the angular position of the threaded portion 49 relatively to the upper portion of the'rod 37. v

The serve-motor 23 is provided with fluid inlet and exhaust connections 25. 26 and has a regulating valve 32 adapted to control the admission and exhaust of operating'fiuid to and from the servo-moton' The valve 32 is connected to one end of the governor lever 34 the opposite end of which is connectedto a compensating device 36 of well known a construction. The governor 33 1s operable from the main. shaft Sthrough gearing 35 and coacts with amcdial portion of the lever 34.

During normal operation of the unit illustrated in Fig. 1, the plunger gate 6 may be positioned to produce admission of quantities of liquid requisite to carry the load is effected simultancouslyand automatically.

ing ring 14.

upon the niain shaft" 8 and Wlllll controlling and runner vanes *5; 16 should. be adjusted. to produce maximum -ef-' -ficiency of. o eration corresponding to the predetermin opening of the plunger gate 6. The liquid thementers theturbine rotor 7 through-the inletconduit 2 and the transition space 3. The guide vanes 5 act u n the entering liquid to produce definite whirlingmotion thereof in the transition space 3, the degree of whirl being dependent upon the position of adjustment of the vanes 5. The whirling streams of liquid leaving the uide vanes 5 are consolidated in the wane ree transition space 3 and have their direction of flow changed from inward to axial by the deflecting wall 9, without destro ing the whirling components of flow. T e whirling axiallyadvancing solid stream of liquid is delivered from-the transition space 3 directly to the rotor vanes 16 which-should be properly adjusted about their pivots 22N [so that the. stream lines ofthe liquid impinge against the impact surfaces of the vanes at the most efficientv angle. The'liquid leaving the rotor 7, retains considerable of its whirl energy and is delivered directly to the draft tube 4 wherein the remaining 1 whirl and velocity energy is converted into pressure.

After the unit has been placed in operation, the lat-ingva ve 32 of the servo-motor 23 will automatically function to vary the position of the-plunger gate 6 in accordance with variations in power demand. As the plunger gate 6 is raised to increase the quantity of flow, the whirl controlling guide vanes 5 are independently adjusted to simultaneously and automatically increase the degree of whirl of the entering fluid by virtue of governor 33 acting upon the reguthe threaded portion 49-of the rod 37 coacting with the pinion 50 which in turn coacts with the se ment 51 of the vane adjustimultaneously with upward movement of the plunger gate 6. the rotor vanes 16 are automatically tilted to increase the area of the liquid passage through the rotor 7 and to present the impact surfaces of the vanes 16 to thewhirling body, of water at the most effective angle, by virtue of the adjusting lever 53 and'rollers 44 forming a connection betweenthe rod 37 and'the shiftable sleeve 41. As the" sleeve 41 .is moved along the shaft 8, the quick pitch threads 40 function to produce relativeangular displacement between the simultanemined direction. As the plunger gate 6 is moved downwardly to throttle'the inward flow, reverse independent adjustment of the lac guide vanes '5 and of the rotorvanes 16 Whilel the operation of the plunger gate 6, the guide vanes 5 and the rotor vanes 16 has been illustrated herein as occurring simultaneously, it will be obvious that the various adjustments need not be simultaneous although these adjustments are preferably made independently of each other. It will also be obvious that the adjusting means 47, 48 permit independent alteration of the position of the guide vanes 5 and of the roto1 vanes 16, for a predetermined position of the plunger gate 6.

It is desirable in the construction of turbine rotors capable of producing high specific speeds, to reduce the rotor diameter as much as possible without undesirably constricting the passages through the rotor; The prior devices for efi'ectin adjustment of rotor vanes in turbines of this type, have embodied relatively complicated and cumbersome mechanism within the rotor hub, for effecting adjustment of the vanes, thereby necessitating the provision of a hub of relatively large diameter and necessarily increasing the rotor diameter beyond desirable limits. With the construction of rotor illustrated in the drawing, the mechanism t an for adjusting the angularity of the rotor vanes is reduced to relatively simple .form and a hub. and consequently a rotor, of minimum diameter is provided. It has been found that rotor vanes 16 of suificient transverse thickness to accommodate an internal pivot 22 rigidly attached to the hub 17, are not objectionable in rotors of this type, and that the thickening of the vanes in act produces better efiiciency. The feature of thickening thevanes to improve the operating characteristics of rotors of this type forms no part of the present invention. The vanes 16 are effectively supported and prevented from moving away from the hub 17 due to the influence of centrifugal force, by means of the annular recesses 29 in the pivot pins 22 and the transverse retaining pins 28 meeting with these recesses. The fact that none of the vane adjustment effecting mechanism need be located within the hub 1'? permits reduction of the diameter of the hub 17 to a ininimnm, enables ready access to all parts of the adjusting mechanism and avoids obstruction to the flow of fluid through the rotor.

It will be obvious that adjustment of the gate 6, guide vanes 5 and rotor vanes 16 may be effected either automatically as illustrated, or manually, and that automatic adjustment may be efi'ected in accordance with variations in any one or more characteristics such as changes in load, speed, or operating head. The gate 6, guide vanes 5 or the rotor vanes 16 may be automatically adjusted in response to the same or different variable characteristics and such adjustment of one element may be entirely indeand that the illus'tzation of an open flume unit should notbe considered a hmitation. The features of the invention are also applicable to hydraulic machines other than turbines and the details of construction of the various manipulating mechanisms which are shown diagrammatically in the drawing are capable of considerable variation without departin from the present invention.v

It should e generally understood that it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact details of construction and ofoperation herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claims may occur to 'iersons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent: I

l. Tn combination, a rotor, and means for independently varying the quantity of water delivered to said rotor, the direction of flow of said water, and the area of the passages through said rotor.

2. In combination, a rotor, means for. delivering a whirling stream of water to said rotor, and means for simultaneously increasing the quantity of water delivered to said rotor, the degree of whirl of said water, and for varying the area of the passages through said rotor.

3. In combination, a rotor, means for de-.

livering a whirling stream of water to said rotor, and means for simultaneously but indepenedntly increasing the quantity of water delivered to said rotor, increasing the degree of whirl of said water, and for varying the area of the passages through said rotor.

4. In combination, a rotor, means for delivering a whirling stream of water to said rotor, and means for independently varying the quantity of water delivered to said rotor, the degree of whirl of said water, and'the angularity of the vanes of said rotor.

ltltl 5. In combination, a rotor, means for delivering a whirlin stream of water to said rotor, and means for inde endently varying the quantity of water delivered to said r0- tor and the degree of whirl of said water, and for simultaneously var ing the area of the passages between and t e angularity of the vanes of said rotor.

6. In combination, a rotor, means 'for varying the area. ofthe-passages through said rotor, means for var ing the quantity of liquid delivered to col rotor, and means for varying the direction of flow of said liquid,

. for varyin liquid admitted to said rotor, said direction pact faces of the vanes of said rotor, means' forgarying the quantity of liquid delivered to said rotor, and means for varying the direction of flow of said liquid, said quantity.

and direction varying means functiomng'im dependently of eachother.

9. In combination, a rotor, means for varying the angularity of the vanes of said rotor, means for var'.' ing the uantlty of liquid delivered to sai rotor, an means for producing variable whirling motion of the liquid admitted to sai l rotor, said whlrl producing means funct oning to increase the whirl of the liquid when the quantity of liquid delivered to said -rotor is increased;

10. In combination. a rotor, means for varying the quantity of liquid delivered to said rotor, adjustable means functioning independently of said quantity var ing means for varying direction of flow of iquid relatively to said rotor, and means for'varying the angularit of the vanes of said rotor.

11. In com ination, a rotor having angularly adjustable vanes, means for varying the quantity of liquid delivered to said rotor, and adjustable, means functioning inde pendently of said quantity varying means for varying the direction of -flow of the liquid delivered to said rotor.

12. In combination, a rotor, conduit means for admitting liquid tosaid rotor, means for varying the quantity of liquid assing through said conduit means, adJustable means operable independentl of said quantity varying means for ro ucing variable whirling motion of liquid passing through said conduit means, and means for varying theangularity of the vanes of said rotor.

13. In combination, a rotor, means for varying the angularity of the vanes ofsaid rotor, conduit means for'admittin liquid inwardl toward the axis of sai rotor, means or varying the quantity of liquid flowing through said conduit means, and adjustable means within said conduit means the direction of flow of the varyin means functioning independently of sai quantity varying means.

14. In combination, a rotor, 'means for varying the angularity of the vanes of said rotor, a gatemovable axially of said rotor to vary the quantity of liquid admitted thereto, and aseries of ad ustable guide vanes for varying the direction of flow of- .the liquid admitted to said rotor, said gate functioning independently of said guide vanes.

15. In combination, a rotor, means for varying the angularity of the vanes of said rotor, means for varying the quantity of fluid admitted tosaid rotor, means for vary.- ing the degree of whirl of liquid admitted to said rotor, and common means for effecting simultaneous and independent adjustment of said runner vanes of said quantity Y varying means and of said whirl varying means.

16. 1h combination, a 'casing formin a conduit, a shaft member, a" sleeve mem r surrounding said shaft member, a vane pivotally associatedv with one of said members within said conduit, means for controlling the admission of; water to said conduit to revolve said vane, and means responsive to'variations. in speed of revolution of said vane for relatively moving said members to adjust said vane about its pivot from the exterior of said conduit.

do" I 17. In combination, a rotary shaft, a pivotv rigidly attachedto'said shaft, 9. vane Journaled on said'plvot, a sleeve angularly adjustable about said shaft to vary the position of said vane upon said pivot,=and means associated with said pivot for preventing displacement of said vane therealong.

18. In gombination, a,rotary shaft 'having 1 portion, a pivot rigidly attached 'a spheric to said shaft at said spherical portion, a vane journaled on said pivot, an a sleeve angularly adjustable about said, shaft to,

vary pivot.

the position of said vane upon said 19. In combination, a rotary shaft having I a s herical portion, a pivot formed integra said spherical portion, a, dove-tail shaped vane journaled on said pivot, means for preventing displacement of said vane awa from said shaft, and a'sleeve angularly a justable about said shaft to vary the angular position of said vane relatively to said pivot. 20. In combination, a casing forming a conduit, a shaft member, a sleeve member surrounding said shaft member, a vane ivotally associated with one ofsaid mem ers within said conduit, means'for controlling "the admission of water to said conduit to revolve said vane, and a speed governor directly operable by one of said members for relatively moving said members to adjust said vane about its pivot from the exterior of said conduit.

21. In combination, a casing. forming a conduit,-'a shaft membelja sleeve member surrounding said shaft member, a plurality of vanes pivotally associated with and rawit said shaft and extending radially from prising a vane having an adjustable surface,

a vane having an adjustable surface for guiding fluid with respect to said rotor vane,

tiv'e adjustment of said vanes. Z

relative a justment of said surfaces.

"38. 'In a hydraulic machine, a rotor corn-K prising an adjustable vane, an ad ustable and linkage connecting said vaneysurfaces, said hnka e comprising means for effecting 39. In a hydraudic machine, arotor comprising a pivoted vane, a pivoted vane for producing whirling motion of the fluid de-" livered to said rotor vane, and linkage connecting said vanes, said linkagecomprising means for efiectmg relative ad ustment of said vanes.

' ing adjustable vanes, adjustable guide vanes 40. In a hydraulic machine, a rotor com,- prising a vane having an ad'ustable surface, a vane having an adjusta 10 surface for guidin fluid with respectto said rotor vane, a s e governor for adjusting said surfaces, an means for effecting relative adjustment of said surfaces.

41. In a hydraulic machine, a rotor havfor de ivering water to said rotor, and linkage connecting said guide and said rotor vanes, said'linka ge comprising means for relatively adjusting said guide and said rotor vanes,

. 42. In a hydraulic machine, a rotor having a plurality of pivoted vanes a plurality of pivoted guide vanes for delivering a whirling stream of water to said rotor, and linkage connecting said guide and said rotor vanes, said linkage comprising means for relatively adjusting said guide and said rotor vanesabout their pivots.

43. In a hydraulic machine, a rotor comprising a vane having an adjustable surface, means havlng an adjustable surface for guiding fluid with respect to said rotor vane, a speed governor for simultaneously adjusting said surfaces, and means for efi'ecting relative adjustment of said surfaces.

44. In a hydraulic machine, a rotor comprising a vane having an adjustable-surface, means having an adjustable surface for con ducting fluid towards said rotor vane, a speed governor, linkage connecting said governor and said surfaces, and means between said governor and said conducting surface for effecting relative adjustment to said surfaces.

In testimon whereof, the signature of the inventor is a xed hereto.

- 7 WILLIAM H. LIEBER. 

